Imaging control system, imaging control method, control device, control method, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

To provide a system, a method and the like for acquiring more images or more quickly focused images. A control device acquires information regarding a situation of a range captured by an imaging device, determines a mode according to an assumed situation of the range captured by the imaging device among a plurality of focusing modes, and transmits designation information specifying the determined mode to the imaging device. The imaging device receives the designation information from the control device, and captures an image using the mode specified by the received designation information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a technology of controlling an imaging devicethat captures an image of a target to be authenticated or detected.

BACKGROUND ART

The development of the technology regarding authentication of an objectcaptured by an imaging device is advanced.

Especially, in a case of acquiring an image of an authentication targetby the imaging device that images over a wide area such as a monitoringcamera, a technology of imaging the authentication target in focus asmuch as possible by the imaging device is one of required technologies.Such technology is considered to be especially required in a case wherea fine feature such as an iris is used for authentication.

Many imaging devices have a function of automatically adjusting thefocus, that is, an autofocus (AF) function. There are several types ofmodes for executing AF. One is a continuous AF mode and another is aone-shot AF mode. The continuous AF mode is the mode of imaging whilecontinuously adjusting the focus. The one-shot AF mode is the mode ofadjusting the focus at a certain timing (typically, a timing when aphotographer presses a shutter release button halfway), and continuouslyimaging with the adjusted focus after the adjustment. The one-shot AFmode is sometimes referred to as a single AF mode.

PTLs 1 and 2 disclose technologies regarding an imaging mode of animaging device.

PTL 1 discloses the example embodiments regarding a camera capable ofautomatically adjusting the focus. The camera is provided with aninformation setting device that sets an AF mode. In this camera, as anexample, an automatic switching mode for automatically switching betweena continuous AF mode and a one-shot AF mode may be set. PTL 1 suggeststhat, in the automatic switching mode, imaging may be performed indifferent modes in a case where an object is discriminated to be amoving object and a case where the object is discriminated to be astationary object.

PTL 2 discloses an iris biometric recognition module that continuouslyadjusts an operation of an iris illuminator and an iris imaging deviceat a high speed. PTL 2 discloses that a “focus sweep” technology may beapplied in a case where an object is moving, and another technology maybe applied in a case where the object is in a stationary state.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[PTL 1] JP 08-338942 A

[PTL 2] JP 2017-530476 A

SUMMARY Technical Problem

In order to acquire more sharp images or more quickly acquire theimages, it is important to appropriately set an AF mode.

For example, a one-shot AF mode is considered to be more preferably usedthan a continuous AF mode under a situation in which a position of anobject changes little. This is because, in the continuous AF mode, thefocus may be changed when the object only moves back and forth or whensomething only crosses in front of the object, and as a result, a timein which it is possible to take an image in a focusing state may reduceas compared with a case where the one-shot AF mode is used (or it maytake a long time to capture an image in focus).

As suggested in PTLs 1 and 2, in a case where it is configured that theAF mode is changed on the basis of the determination as to whether it isstationary, the one-shot AF mode is not necessarily used in theabove-described situation. If the object is moving back and forth, thecontinuous AF mode may be used, and it is possible that this does notmeet an object of acquiring more sharp images or more quickly acquiringthe images.

An object of the example embodiments is to provide a system, method andthe like for acquiring more images or more quickly focused images.

Solution to Problem

An imaging control system according to an aspect of the exampleembodiments includes a control device and an imaging device. The controldevice is provided with a determination means for determining a modeaccording to an assumed situation of a range captured by the imagingdevice among a plurality of focusing modes, and a transmission means fortransmitting designation information specifying the determined mode tothe imaging device. The imaging device receives the designationinformation from the control device, and captures an image using themode specified by the received designation information.

An imaging control method according to an aspect of the exampleembodiments acquires information regarding a situation of a rangecaptured by an imaging device, determines a mode according to an assumedsituation of the range captured by the imaging device among a pluralityof focusing modes, and transmits designation information specifying thedetermined mode to the imaging device. The imaging device receives thedesignation information, and captures an image using the mode specifiedby the received designation information.

A storage medium according to an aspect of the example embodimentsrecords a program that causes a computer to execute acquisitionprocessing of acquiring information regarding a situation of a rangecaptured by an imaging device, determination processing of determiningthe mode used by the imaging device according to an assumed situation ofthe range captured by the imaging device among a plurality of focusingmodes, and transmission processing of transmitting designationinformation specifying the determined mode to the imaging device.

Advantageous Effects

According to the example embodiments, it is possible to acquire moreimages or more quickly focused images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imagingcontrol system according to a first example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an imaging control methodaccording to the first example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controldevice according to the first example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the control methodaccording to the first example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imagingcontrol system according to a second example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a technical concept according tothe second example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a first example of data used to determinea type of a focusing mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of acontrol device according to the second example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of animaging device according to the second example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of anauthentication device and the imaging device according to the secondexample embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a variationof an imaging control system according to a second example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a second example of data used todetermine a type of a focusing mode.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a third example of data used to determinea type of a focusing mode.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of hardware formingeach part of each example embodiment.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, example embodiments are described in detail with referenceto the drawings. Lines connecting components in the drawingsillustrating a configuration of a system are exemplary lines forfacilitating understanding of a data flow. The components do notnecessarily have to be connected as indicated by the lines in thedrawings.

First Example Embodiment

First, a first example embodiment is described.

<Configuration>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imagingcontrol system 1 according to a first example embodiment.

The imaging control system 1 includes a control device 10 and an imagingdevice 20 connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.Although only one imaging device 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1, theimaging control system 1 may include a plurality of imaging devices 20.That is, the control device 10 may be connected to a plurality ofimaging devices 20. A mode of connection between the control device 10and the imaging device 20 does not matter.

The imaging device 20 generates an image of an imaging range by imaging.The imaging range is a range defined by a position, a posture, an angleof view and the like of the imaging device 20. The imaging device 20 mayuse a plurality of types of focusing modes. Two modes out of the modesavailable to the imaging device 20 may be, for example, a first mode inwhich autofocus is continuously executed and a second mode in whichautofocus is performed less frequently than in the first mode.

The control device 10 determines a focusing mode used by the imagingdevice 20. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control device 10 is providedwith an acquisition unit 101, a determination unit 102, and atransmission unit 103. Each component of the control device 10 may beimplemented by, for example, a computer including one or a plurality ofprocessors that executes an instruction based on a program and a memory.

The acquisition unit 101 acquires information regarding a situation ofthe range captured by the imaging device 20.

The determination unit 102 determines a mode according to an assumedsituation of the range captured by the imaging device 20 among aplurality of types of focusing modes.

The transmission unit 103 transmits information specifying the modedetermined by the determination unit 102 (also referred to as“designation information”) to the imaging device 20.

<Operation>

A processing flow by the control device 10 and the imaging device 20 isdescribed with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 2.

First, the acquisition unit 101 of the control device 10 acquires theinformation regarding the situation of the range captured by the imagingdevice 20 (step S101). Next, the determination unit 102 determines themode according to the assumed situation of the range captured by theimaging device 20 among a plurality of types of focusing modes (stepS102). Then, the transmission unit 103 transmits the designationinformation specifying the mode determined by the determination unit 102to the imaging device 20 (step S103).

The imaging device 20 receives the designation information (step S104)and captures an image using the mode specified by the receiveddesignation information (step S105).

Effect

According to the imaging control system 1 according to the first exampleembodiment, it is possible to acquire more images or more quicklyfocused images. This is because the focusing mode used by the imagingdevice 20 is switched according to the assumed situation of the rangecaptured by the imaging device 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating only a configuration of thecontrol device 10 out of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating only a flow of an operation performed by thecontrol device 10 out of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingto the control device 10, it is possible to allow the imaging device toacquire more images or more quickly focused images.

Second Example Embodiment

Hereinafter, a specific example of an imaging control system 1 isdescribed.

In the following description, “AF” refers to autofocus.

<Configuration>

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imagingcontrol system 2 being one specific example of the imaging controlsystem 1. The imaging control system 2 includes a control device 11, anauthentication device 31, and a plurality of imaging devices 21connected to the control device 11 and the authentication device 31.Although three imaging devices 21 are illustrated in FIG. 5, the numberof imaging devices 21 does not matter. Although one network 9 isillustrated between the devices in FIG. 5, a mode of connection is notlimited to this.

Although the control device 11 and the authentication device 31 areillustrated separately for convenience of explanation, they may be thesame device. In this case, a partial functional configuration (acommunication unit 111, a communication unit 311 and the like) may beformed of a single member.

In a case where the control device 11 and the authentication device 31are separate devices, the control device 11 and the authenticationdevice 31 may be connected so as to be able to communicate with eachother, or they need not be connected to each other. In a case where thecontrol device 11 and the authentication device 31 are connected so asto be able to communicate with each other, a communication path may bedifferent from a communication path between the imaging device 21 andthe control device 11, or may be a partially common path.

In the disclosure, a pair of the control device 11 and theauthentication device 31 is also referred to as a control system 6. Inone example embodiment, the control system 6 may be installed in aspecific place (monitoring center, monitoring control room and thelike).

===Imaging Device 21===

The imaging device 21 generates an image of an imaging range by imaging.The imaging device 21 is equipped with an imaging element such as acharge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) image sensor, for example. The imaging device 21 is not limitedto a visible light camera; this may also be a near infrared camera, aninfrared camera and the like. The imaging device 21 generates the imageby imaging. Hereinafter, the image generated by imaging by the imagingdevice 21 is also referred to as a captured image. The captured imagemay be a color image or may be a grayscale image. The imaging device 21may continuously generate the captured images at a predetermined framerate. The imaging device 21 may execute imaging as this receives animaging instruction from the control system 6. The imaging device 21transmits the generated captured image to the control system 6 at anytime or in response to a request from the control system 6.

The imaging device 21 has an autofocus (AF) function. As describedalready, examples of modes for executing AF include a continuous AF modeand a one-shot AF mode. The imaging device 21 of this example embodimentmay use at least the two modes. The two modes are specific examples ofthe “focusing mode” described in the above-described first exampleembodiment.

In a case where the continuous AF mode is executed, the imaging device21 continuously adjusts focus. Specifically, the imaging device 21periodically determines whether to change the focus on a short cycle(for example, on a cycle shorter than one second), and changes the focuswhen determining to change the focus. A method of determining whether tochange the focus and a method of changing the focus in such a way thatthe image becomes sharper may be a method using a known method (forexample, a ranging method, a contrast detecting method, a phasedifference AF method, an image plane phase difference AF method and thelike). The imaging device 21 may be configured to change the focus insuch a way that a feature used in authentication processing by theauthentication device 31 (to be described later) become sharper.

In a case where the one-shot AF mode is executed, after setting thefocus at a specific timing, the imaging device 21 captures an imagewithout changing the set focus until a next specific timing. Thespecific timing is, for example, a timing at which an instruction toadjust the focus is received from the control system 6. Alternatively,the specific timing may be a timing that comes on a certain cycle. Thecycle in this case is longer than the cycle of determining whether tochange the focus in the continuous AF mode described above (for example,a cycle of five seconds or longer).

The imaging device 21 may switch the AF mode used by the device itself(imaging device 21) on the basis of a setting instruction from thecontrol device 11. The setting instruction from the control device 11includes, for example, information specifying a type of the AF mode. Ina case where the type of the AF mode indicated by the settinginstruction is different from the currently executed mode, the imagingdevice 21 changes the AF mode used by the device itself (imaging device21) to the indicated mode.

===Authentication Device 31===

The authentication device 31 performs the authentication processing on atarget captured by the imaging device 21. In this example embodiment,the target is assumed to be a person.

The authentication processing is processing of checking a featureextracted from the target against registered features being featuresregistered in advance, and specifying personal identificationinformation associated with the registered feature that matches thefeature extracted from the target.

The feature used for authentication by the authentication device 31 is,for example, the feature that may appear in the captured image amongphysical features inherent to an individual (also referred to as“biometric information”). Examples of the feature used in theauthentication include a face, an iris, a palm shape, a palm print, afingerprint, an auricle or the like.

Other features used in the authentication by the authentication device31 may be a feature of an article worn or carried by the target, anidentification code (bar code, 2D code and the like) attached to thearticle and the like.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the authentication device 31 isprovided with the communication unit 311, an authentication executionunit 312, a registration information database 313, and an output unit314.

The communication unit 311 receives the captured image from the imagingdevice 21. The authentication device 31 may transmit the imaginginstruction to the imaging device 21 via the communication unit 311. Thecommunication unit 311 may be configured to receive the captured imagefrom the imaging device 21 on a predetermined cycle.

The registration information database 313 stores the personalidentification information of the person and information on the featurethat may be extracted from the person in association with each other.The personal identification information may include, for example, aname, a date of birth, an attribute (gender, age, official position andthe like), and a unique identifier (ID) assigned to each person.

The authentication execution unit 312 performs the authenticationprocessing using the registration information database 313 on a personincluded in the captured image received from the imaging device 21.Specifically, the authentication execution unit 312 executes thefollowing process, for example.

First, the authentication execution unit 312 detects the person from thecaptured image. A method of detecting the person may be a known method.The authentication execution unit 312 then extracts the feature from thedetected person. In a case where the iris is adopted as the feature, theauthentication execution unit 312 specifies a position of an eye fromthe detected person and extracts a portion of the iris included in theeye. The authentication execution unit 312 checks the extracted featureagainst the features registered in the registration information database313 (that is, the registered features) and specifies the registeredfeature determined to match the extracted feature among the registeredfeatures. In a case where there is the registered feature determined tomatch the extracted feature, the authentication execution unit 312identifies the person included in the captured image as a personidentified by the personal identification information associated withthe registered feature (that is, “the authentication is successful”). Ina case where there is no registered feature determined to match theextracted feature, the personal identification information of the personincluded in the captured image is not specified, that is, “theauthentication is failed”.

The authentication execution unit 312 allows the output unit 314 tooutput a result of the authentication processing. The result of theauthentication processing is, for example, information including thepersonal identification information of the person whose “authenticationis successful” and information on time and place when and where theperson is captured. Alternatively, the result of the authenticationprocessing may also be, for example, an image obtained by superimposinginformation indicating whether the authentication of the person includedin the captured image is “successful” or “failed” on the captured image.The personal identification information may be further superimposed onthe superimposed image.

The output unit 314 outputs the result of the authentication processing.The output unit 314 is, for example, a display. It is also possible thatthe output unit 314 merely outputs the result of the authenticationprocessing to a storage medium or an information processing device otherthan the authentication device 31.

===Control Device 11===

The control device 11 is a specific example of the control device 10.

Before describing components of the control device 11, a technicalconcept regarding the control device 11 is described. FIG. 6 is aflowchart illustrating the technical concept regarding the controldevice 11. The control device 11 according to the second exampleembodiment is designed to conform to this technical concept.

First, the control device 11 acquires information regarding a situationof a range captured by the imaging device 21 (step S201). After that,the control device 11 performs different processes depending on whetheran assumed situation of the imaging range is a situation in which aposition of an object sequentially changes (step S202). In a case wherethe assumed situation of the imaging range is the situation in which theposition of the object sequentially changes (YES at step S202), thecontrol device 11 selects the continuous AF mode as the mode that theimaging device 21 should use (step S203). In a case where the assumedsituation of the imaging range is not the situation in which theposition of the object sequentially changes (NO at step S202), thecontrol device 11 selects the one-shot AF mode as the mode that theimaging device 21 should use (step S204). Then, the control device 11allows the imaging device 21 to use the selected mode (step S205).

The situation in which the position of the object sequentially changesis a situation in which the object moves in a constant direction such asa situation in which the object is walking, for example.

An example of a specific process for achieving the above-describedoperation is hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control device 11 is provided with aninput interface 110, a communication unit 111, a mode setting unit 112,and a mode storage unit 113.

Each component in the control device 11 may, in a case of generating oracquiring data, make the data available to other components. Forexample, each component may deliver the generated or acquired data toother components that use the data. Alternatively, each component mayrecord the generated or acquired data in a storage area (memory and thelike, not illustrated) in the control device 11. Each component of thecontrol device 11 may receive the data to be used directly from thecomponent that generates or acquires the data or may read the same fromthe above-described storage area when executing each process.

=Input Interface 110=

The input interface 110 is an interface for receiving an input ofvarious commands from a user of the control device 11 to the controldevice 11. The input interface 110 is, for example, a touch panel, atouch pad, a keyboard, and/or a port for receiving signals from an inputdevice (mouse, keyboard and the like).

=Communication Unit 111=

The communication unit 111 exchanges information with the imaging device21.

One of pieces of information transmitted by the communication unit 111is the setting instruction of the mode of the imaging device 21 (to bedescribed later). The communication unit 111 may also transmit theimaging instruction to the imaging device 21. The imaging instructionmay be generated, for example, on the basis of the command input fromthe input interface 110 by the user of the control device 11.

One of the pieces of information received by the communication unit 111is the information regarding the situation of the imaging range of theimaging device 21 (specific example is to be described later).

The communication unit 111 may also communicate with other devices thanthe imaging device 21. For example, the communication unit 111 mayreceive information from the authentication device 31. For example, thecontrol device 11 may receive the captured image from the imaging device21 and transmit the captured image to the authentication device 31.

=Mode Setting Unit 112, Mode Storage Unit 113=

The mode setting unit 112 sets the AF mode of each of the imagingdevices 21. Specifically, the mode setting unit 112 determines the typeof the AF mode that the imaging device 21 should use for each of theimaging devices 21, and generates the setting instruction including theinformation specifying the determined type of the mode.

The mode setting unit 112 uses the information regarding the situationof the range captured by the imaging device 21 (hereinafter, the imagingrange) when determining the type of the AF mode.

As an example, assume that the imaging control system 2 is adopted in astadium where a competition is held. One of the imaging devices 21 maybe installed at an entrance of the stadium. Another one of the imagingdevices 21 may be installed in a spectator seat of the stadium.

In a case where the imaging device 21 is installed in the spectatorseat, a target captured by the imaging device 21 is assumed to be aspectator sitting in the seat. The spectator sitting in the seat issupposed to be basically in the same position even though he/she moves alittle. In this case, the one-shot AF mode is considered to be morepreferable than the continuous AF mode as the AF mode used by theimaging device 21. Therefore, the mode setting unit 112 may beconfigured to determine the AF mode that the imaging device 21 shoulduse to be the one-shot AF mode on the basis of information that theplace where the imaging device 21 is installed is the spectator seat.

In a case where the imaging device 21 is installed at the entrance, thetarget to be captured by the imaging device 21 is assumed to walk in thevicinity of the entrance in a constant direction. In a case where thewalking spectator is the target of imaging, the continuous AF mode isconsidered to be more preferable than the one-shot AF mode as the AFmode used by the imaging device 21. Therefore, the mode setting unit 112may be configured to determine the AF mode that the imaging device 21should use to be the continuous AF mode on the basis of information thatthe place where the imaging device 21 is installed is the entrance.

As described above, the mode setting unit 112 may use, for example, theinformation on the place where the imaging device 21 is installed (thatis, the place captured by the imaging device 21) as the informationregarding the situation of the range captured by the imaging device 21.On the basis of this information, the mode setting unit 112 maydetermine the type of the AF mode that the imaging device 21 should use.

The control device 11 may be configured to acquire the information onthe place where the imaging device 21 is installed, for example, fromthe imaging device 21. The imaging device 21 has a function ofspecifying a position such as a global positioning system (GPS), and theimaging device 21 may transmit the information indicating the positionspecified by this function to the control device 11. Alternatively,identification information of a router used by the imaging device 21 forcommunication may be used as the information on the place where theimaging device 21 is installed.

Alternatively, the control device 11 may acquire the information on theplace where the imaging device 21 is installed on the basis ofinformation input from the user via the input interface 110. As anexample, the control device 11 may present a screen to the user toselect whether the place where the imaging device 21 is installed is theseat or the entrance, and receive a selection operation by the user viathe input interface 110.

When determining the AF mode, the mode setting unit 112 refers to themode storage unit 113.

The mode storage unit 113 stores, for example, data that associates thesituation of the imaging range with the AF mode. The data may be in anyformat; for example, the data in a table format may be adopted.

FIG. 7 is an example of a table stored by the mode storage unit 113 usedin an application example described above.

With reference to this table, the mode setting unit 112 may extract theAF mode associated with the situation of the imaging range (for example,the fact that the place is the spectator seat) assumed from theinformation regarding the situation of the imaging range (for example,the information on the position of the imaging device 21) and maydetermine the extracted mode to be the mode that the imaging device 21should use.

For specifying the assumed situation of the imaging range from theinformation regarding the situation of the imaging range, the modesetting unit 112 may separately refer to data that associates theinformation regarding the situation of the imaging range with theassumed situation of the imaging range. An example of such data is datathat associates a range of a pair of latitude and longitude with theinformation indicating whether the place is the spectator seat or theentrance. In a case where the identification information of the routerused for communication by the imaging device 21 is adopted as theinformation regarding the situation of the imaging range, one example ofthe above-described data is data that associates the identificationinformation of the router with the information indicating whether theplace is the spectator seat or the entrance.

The communication unit 111 may acquire, in addition to the informationon the place where the imaging device 21 is installed, information on aposture (imaging direction, tilt and the like) of the imaging device 21.The mode setting unit 112 may specify the assumed situation of theimaging range on the basis of the place where the imaging device 21 isinstalled and the posture.

In this example embodiment, the “assumed situation of the imaging range”may be paraphrased as an “assumed situation as a situation around aperson who should be included in the imaging range”.

Another example of the information regarding the situation of theimaging range and another example of the assumed situation of theimaging range are to be described later.

<Operation>

[Operation of Control Device 11]

An example of a processing flow of the control device 11 is describedwith reference to a flowchart in FIG. 8. This example is an example inan aspect in which the place where the imaging device 21 is installed isused as the information regarding the situation of the imaging range.

The following description is the description of a flow of processingperformed regarding one imaging device 21. In an example embodiment inwhich the control device 11 is connected to a plurality of imagingdevices 21, the control device 11 may perform the following processingon each of the imaging devices 21.

First, the communication unit 111 acquires the information regarding theplace where the imaging device 21 is installed (step S11). Thecommunication unit 111 acquires the above-described information from theimaging device 21, for example.

The control device 11 may execute a process at step S11 on apredetermined cycle (for example, every second). The control device 11may execute the process at step S11 as this receives the command fromthe user via the input interface 110.

Next, the mode setting unit 112 specifies the type of the AF modeassociated with the place where the imaging device is installed (stepS12). A process at step S12 may be executed each time the information isacquired by the process at step S11. Alternatively, the process at stepS12 may be executed at predetermined frequency lower than the frequencyat which the information is acquired by the process at step S11. Thecontrol device 11 may execute the process at step S12 as this receivesthe command from the user via the input interface 110.

Next, the mode setting unit 112 generates the setting instructionincluding the information specifying the specified mode (step S13).

The communication unit 111 then transmits the generated settinginstruction to the imaging device 21 regarding the information acquiredat step S1 l (step S14).

[Operation of Imaging Device 21]

An example of a processing flow of the imaging device 21 is describedwith reference to a flowchart in FIG. 9.

The imaging device 21 transmits the position of the device itself(imaging device 21) to the control system 6 (step S21).

When receiving the setting instruction (step S22), the imaging device 21uses the mode specified by the setting instruction (step S23). In otherwords, the imaging device 21 sets the AF mode used by the device itself(imaging device 21) to the mode instructed by the setting instruction.Specifically, in a case where the mode instructed by the settinginstruction is different from the currently used mode, the imagingdevice 21 switches the currently used mode. In a case where the modeinstructed by the setting instruction is the same as the currently usedmode, the imaging device 21 does not switch the currently used mode.

The imaging device 21 may repeat the above-described processing on apredetermined cycle.

[Operation of Authentication Device 31 and Imaging Device 21]

An operation flow of the authentication device 31 and the imaging device21 regarding the authentication processing by the authentication device31 is described with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 10.

The imaging device 21 acquires the captured image by imaging (step S41)and transmits the captured image to the authentication device 31 (stepS42).

The authentication device 31 starts the authentication processing whenthe communication unit 311 receives the captured image (step S31).First, the authentication execution unit 312 specifies the target(person who should be authenticated) captured in the captured image(step S32). The authentication execution unit 312 may specify all thepersons captured in the received captured image as the targets, or mayspecify only the person captured in the captured image in apredetermined size as the target.

Each of the processes at steps S41, S42, S31, and S32 may be executed ona predetermined cycle, or may be executed upon reception of the commandfrom the user via the input interface 110.

After the process at step S32, the authentication execution unit 312extracts the feature from the specified target (step S33). Theauthentication execution unit 312 then checks the extracted featureagainst the registered features registered in the registrationinformation database 313 (step S34).

Then, the output unit 314 outputs a result of the checking at step S34(step S35). The result of the checking is, in other words, a result ofthe authentication. For example, the result of the checking isinformation indicating whether the target captured in the captured imageis the person whose personal identification information is registered inthe registration information database 313.

In a case of further performing the checking (that is, theauthentication processing) (YES at step S36), the authentication device31 performs the processing from step S31 again, and in a case wherefurther checking is not performed (NO at step S36), this finishes theprocessing.

After the process at step S42, if the imaging is continued (YES at stepS43), the imaging device 21 performs the processing from step S41 again,and if the imaging is not continued (NO at step S43), this finishes theprocessing.

Effect

According to the imaging control system 2 of the second exampleembodiment, the AF mode used by the imaging device 21 is appropriatelyset. The reason of this is similar to the reason described in thedescription of the first example embodiment.

In the description above, the example in which the mode setting unit 112determines the type of the AF mode on the basis of the place where theimaging device 21 is installed is described. Since a place is closelyassociated with a behavior of a person, the AF mode may be appropriatelyset by using the information on the place. As a result, for example, theimaging device 21 may capture the seated person in the one-shot AF modeand capture the person moving in the constant direction in thecontinuous AF mode.

Since the authentication device 31 performs the authentication using thecaptured image generated by the imaging performed in the appropriatelyset mode, the authentication may be performed more quickly and moreaccurately.

The above-described effect is extremely excellent in a case whereresolution significantly affects the speed and accuracy of theauthentication. One of the cases where the resolution significantlyaffects the speed and accuracy of the authentication is a case where theiris is used in the authentication in a crowded place.

[Variation]

A variation of the second example embodiment is described as follows.

(1)

A control device 11 may store a mode currently used by an imaging device21. Then, the control device 11 may transmit a setting instruction tothe imaging device 21 only when a determined focusing mode is differentfrom the currently executed mode. That is, the control device 11compares the determined focusing mode with the mode currently used bythe imaging device 21, and when this determines that both the modes arethe same, this need not generate the setting instruction.

(2)

In place of an authentication device 31, a detection device 41 may beapplied. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of thevariation in which the authentication device 31 of an imaging controlsystem 2 is replaced with the detection device 41. In the description ofthis variation, it is described while replacing a reference numeral 2 ofan imaging control system with a reference numeral 3, and replacing areference numeral 6 of a control system with a reference numeral 7.

A function and an operation of the control device 11 and the imagingdevice 21 may be the same as those of the imaging control system 2.

The detection device 41 is a device that performs not authentication butdetection of a detection target. The detection device 41 is providedwith a communication unit 411, a detection unit 412, an informationdatabase 413, and an output unit 414.

The communication unit 411 receives a captured image from the imagingdevice 21.

The detection unit 412 executes detection processing of detecting aperson satisfying a predetermined condition on persons included in thecaptured image. The predetermined condition is, for example, “having abody height shorter than 140 cm”, “wearing sunglasses and a mask”,“having suspicious behavior” and the like. The detection unit 412performs the detection processing on the basis of an algorithm fordetermining the person satisfying the predetermined condition by using afeature extracted from a target. A known method (for example, a methodof classifying on the basis of machine learning and the like) may beadopted as the above-described algorithm.

Information stored in the information database 413 is used in thedetection processing. The information database 413 stores, for example,a value of a parameter in the algorithm used for detection.

An example of a specific process of the detection processing ishereinafter described.

First, the detection unit 412 detects the person from the capturedimage. A method of detecting the person may be a known method. Thedetection unit 412 then extracts a feature from the detected person.Taking a case where a body height is adopted as the feature as anexample, the detection unit 412 estimates a distance from a top of headto a sole of foot of the detected person. The detection unit 412determines whether the detected person satisfies the predeterminedcondition using the extracted feature and the information stored in theinformation database 413. When it is determined that the detected personsatisfies the predetermined condition, the person is detected assatisfying the predetermined condition. In this case, the detection unit412 outputs information indicating that the person satisfying thepredetermined condition is detected.

In the imaging control system 3, a speed and accuracy of the detectionprocessing performed by the detection device 41 are improved by thesetting of the mode of the imaging device 21 by the control device 11.

(3)

An imaging range by the imaging device 21 does not need to be fixed atone place.

For example, the imaging device 21 may be configured to be able tochange a posture (imaging direction, tilt and the like) so as to be ableto image different areas. The imaging device 21 may change the postureperiodically or on some occasion (for example, in response to aninstruction from the control system 6) to image different areas.

As a result of the change of the posture of the imaging device 21, aplace captured by the imaging device 21 changes, so that a preferredmode as the focusing mode used by the imaging device 21 might alsochange. Accordingly, it is also possible that the control device 11receives information regarding the imaging range of the imaging device21 upon change of the posture by the imaging device 21, and determinesthe mode that the imaging device 21 should use on the basis of thereceived information. In this case, the information regarding theimaging range is, for example, information indicating the position andposture of the imaging device 21.

The imaging device 21 may be provided on a moving body such as a droneor a person. In this case, the range captured by the imaging device 21changes according to a position of the moving body provided with theimaging device 21. The imaging device 21 may be configured, for example,to specify the position of the imaging device 21 itself periodically orwhen the moving body moves, and to transmit information on the specifiedposition to the control device 11. However, in a case where the controldevice 11 may grasp the position of the imaging device 21 by a methodother than acquiring the information from the imaging device 21, theimaging device 21 need not be configured to specify the position.

One of methods of specifying the imaging range of the imaging device 21by the control device 11 is a method of communicating with the movingbody provided with the imaging device 21. The control device 11 mayacquire the position (and/or posture) of the moving body from the movingbody. Alternatively, in a mode in which the control device 11 indicatesthe position where the moving body should be, the position of the movingbody may be analogized.

Another method of specifying the imaging range of the imaging device 21by the control device 11 is a method of analyzing the captured imagegenerated by the imaging device 21. The control device 11 may, forexample, discriminate where the imaging device 21 captures an image onthe basis of a feature (color, shape and the like) of an object (notlimited to a person but may be a structure or installation) captured inthe captured image.

The control device 11 may be configured to determine the mode that theimaging device 21 should use upon the change in position or imagingrange of the imaging device 21.

(4)

There may be three or more types of AF modes. That is, the AF modeavailable to the imaging device 21 may include one or more modesdifferent from a one-shot AF mode and a continuous AF mode. The modesetting unit 112 may determine the AF mode that the imaging device 21should use according to an assumed situation among three or more typesof modes.

(5)

A mode in which AF is not performed may be used in a certain situation.Examples of the mode in which AF is not performed include a fixed focusmode (mode in which the imaging is performed at a predetermined focallength) and a manual mode (mode in which manual focus adjustment isaccepted).

Another Specific Example

A specific example of the information regarding the situation of theimaging range and a specific example of the assumed situation of theimaging range are hereinafter described.

The information regarding the situation of the imaging range is notlimited to the information regarding the place where the imaging device21 is installed. The information regarding the situation of the imagingrange may be, for example, the following information.

<1> Information on Time (or Time of Day) of Imaging

Even if the imaging range is unchanged, there is a case where a type ora state of the person captured in the imaging range may change dependingon time (or time of day). That is, since the time (or time of day) whenthe imaging is performed may also affect the situation of the imagingrange, information on the time (or time of day) may be information usedfor determining the focusing mode.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a table in which the time of day andthe focusing mode are associated with each other. This table is anexample of a table for the mode setting unit 112 to determine thefocusing mode in a case where the imaging device 21 is assumed to beinstalled at an entrance of a stadium where a competition is held.However, items in the rightmost column of the table illustrated in FIG.12 are provided for facilitating understanding of the description andneed not actually be stored.

On the basis of the table illustrated in FIG. 12, for example, when thecurrent time (in a case where this may be considered to be the same asthe time when the imaging is performed by the imaging device 21) is 9AM, the mode setting unit 112 determines the focusing mode that theimaging device 21 should use to be the one-shot AF mode.

The table illustrated in FIG. 12 may be stored in the mode storage unit113 on the basis of an input from the outside (via the input interface110). For example, a management staff of the competition may prepare thetable as illustrated in FIG. 12 and input via the input interface 110.

<2> Occurrence of Event Affecting State of Target

For example, the following events might affect the state of the object.

-   -   Opening (situation in which people move in a constant direction        is assumed)    -   Generation of signal indicating that entrance is closed        (situation in which movement of people is suppressed is assumed)    -   Generation of sign of competition start (situation in which        people become more active is assumed)    -   Generation of announcement instructing people to move (situation        in which people are encouraged to move is assumed)    -   Sound of chime or siren (for example, situation in which it is        time for people to sit down is assumed)    -   Occurrence or elimination of traffic congestion (situation in        which manner of people movement changes is assumed)

Therefore, information indicating that the above-described events (orany one of them) occur may be adopted as the information regarding thesituation of the imaging range.

The communication unit 111 may be configured to receive a predeterminedsignal from a device that generates the predetermined signal in responseto the occurrence of any of the above-described events. The controldevice 11 may receive the captured image from the imaging device 21 anddetect the occurrence of the above-described event from the capturedimage.

<3> Result of Authentication

When the authentication gets difficult (in other words, the featurecannot be extracted sufficiently), it is highly likely that thesituation of the imaging range has changed. Therefore, the result of theauthentication may also be the information regarding the situation ofthe imaging range.

For example, the control device 11 may periodically acquire the resultof the authentication processing by the authentication device 31 fromthe output unit 314. When the control device 11 determines that a ratioof the results indicating “authentication failure” out of the acquiredresults exceeds a predetermined threshold, this may determine a modedifferent from the mode used by the imaging device 21 as the mode thatthe imaging device 21 should use. In this case, the assumed situation ofthe imaging range is “a situation different from the situation in thepast”.

The mode setting unit 112 may determine the type of the mode that theimaging device 21 should use on the basis of a combination of theabove-described specific examples (combination by AND condition,combination by OR condition and the like).

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a further example of a table available tothe mode setting unit 112. The table illustrated in FIG. 13 is a tablefor determining the type of the focusing mode on the basis of acombination of pieces of information on place and time. In a case ofusing the table illustrated in FIG. 13, for example, regarding theimaging device 21 in a parking, the mode setting unit 112 determines thefocusing mode used by the imaging device 21 to be the one-shot AF modewhen it is 8 AM in the parking.

<Hardware Configuration Implementing Each Part of Example Embodiment>

In each of the example embodiments described above, a block representingeach component of each device is illustrated in a functional unit.However, the block representing the component does not necessarily meanthat each component is formed of a separate module.

Processing of each component may also be implemented, for example, by acomputer system reading and executing a program that causes the computersystem to execute the processing stored in a computer-readable storagemedium. The “computer-readable storage medium” is, for example, aportable medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, amagneto-optical disk, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and astorage device such as a read only memory (ROM) and a hard diskincorporated in the computer system. The “computer-readable storagemedium” includes one that may temporarily hold a program such as avolatile memory in the computer system, and one that transmits theprogram such as a communication line such as a network or a telephoneline. The program may be for achieving a part of the above-describedfunctions, and further may achieve the above-described function bycombination with the program already stored in the computer system.

The “computer system” is, by way of example, a system including acomputer 900 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The computer 900 includes thefollowing configuration.

-   -   One or a plurality of central processing units (CPUs) 901    -   ROM 902    -   Random access memory (RAM) 903    -   Program 904 loaded into RAM 903    -   Storage device 905 that stores program 904    -   Drive device 907 that reads from and writes in storage medium        906    -   Communication interface 908 that connects to communication        network 909    -   Input/output interface 910 that inputs/outputs data    -   Bus 911 that connects each component

For example, each component of each device in each example embodiment isimplemented by the CPU 901 loading a program 904A that implements afunction of the component into the RAM 903 and executing the same. Theprogram 904A that implements the function of each component of eachdevice is stored in advance, for example, in the storage device 905 orthe ROM 902. The CPU 901 then reads the program 904A as necessary. Thestorage device 905 is, for example, a hard disk. The program 904A may besupplied via the communication network 909 to the CPU 901, or may bestored in advance in the storage medium 906, read by the drive device907, and supplied to the CPU 901. The storage medium 906 is, forexample, a portable medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, amagneto-optical disk, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

There are various variations of a method of implementing each device.For example, each device may be implemented by a possible combination ofa separate computer 900 and a program for each component. A plurality ofcomponents of each device may be implemented by a possible combinationof one computer 900 and a program.

Some or all of the components of each device may be implemented by othergeneral purpose or dedicated circuits, computers and the like, or acombination of them. They may be formed of a single chip or a pluralityof chips connected via a bus.

In a case where some or all of the components of each device areimplemented by a plurality of computers, circuits and the like, aplurality of computers, circuits and the like may be collectedlyarranged or arranged in a distributed manner. For example, the computer,the circuit and the like may be implemented as a mode in which each of aclient and server system, a cloud computing system and the like isconnected via a communication network.

Some or all of the above-described example embodiments may be describedas in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to thefollowing.

<<Supplementary Notes>>

[Supplementary Note 1]

An imaging control system provided with:

a control device provided with:

an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding a situation ofa range captured by an imaging device;

a determination means for determining a mode according to an assumedsituation of the range captured by the imaging device among a pluralityof focusing modes; and

a transmission means for transmitting designation information specifyingthe determined mode to the imaging device; and

the imaging device that receives the designation information from thecontrol device and captures an image using the mode specified by thereceived designation information.

[Supplementary Note 2]

The imaging control system according to supplementary note 1, in which

the determination means

determines, in a case where the assumed situation is a situation inwhich an object is assumed to move in a constant direction, a first modeof continuously executing autofocus as the mode used by the imagingdevice, and

determines, in a case where the assumed situation is a situation inwhich the object is assumed to stay in a constant position, a secondmode in which frequency of autofocus is lower than the frequency in thefirst mode as the mode used by the imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 3]

The imaging control system according to supplementary note 1 or 2, inwhich

the determination means determines the mode used by the imaging devicebased at least on information on a place of the range captured by theimaging device.

[Supplementary Note 4]

The imaging control system according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 3, in which

the determination means determines the mode used by the imaging devicebased at least on information on time when the imaging device capturesan image.

[Supplementary Note 5]

The imaging control system according to supplementary note 4, in which

the control device is further provided with a storage means for storinga table for associating a pair of place and time with the mode,

the acquisition means acquires the information on the place of the rangecaptured by the imaging device and the information on the time when theimaging device captures an image, and

the determination means specifies the mode associated with the pair ofthe place of the range captured by the imaging device and the timespecified from the information acquired by the acquisition means, anddetermines the specified mode as the mode used by the imaging device inthe table.

[Supplementary Note 6]

The imaging control system according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 5, further provided with:

an authentication means for executing authentication processing ofdetermining whether a person captured by the imaging device in the modespecified by the designation information is a person registered in adatabase.

[Supplementary Note 7]

The imaging control system according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 6, further provided with:

a detection means for executing detection processing of determiningwhether the person captured by the imaging device in the mode specifiedby the designation information is a person satisfying a predeterminedcondition.

[Supplementary Note 8]

The imaging control system according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 7, in which

the imaging device is provided on a moving body,

the imaging device or the moving body transmits information regarding aposition of the imaging device to the control device, and

the acquisition means acquires the transmitted information regarding theposition as the information regarding the situation of the rangecaptured by the imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 9]

An imaging control method provided with:

acquiring information regarding a situation of a range captured by animaging device;

determining a mode according to an assumed situation of the rangecaptured by the imaging device among a plurality of focusing modes; and

transmitting designation information specifying the determined mode tothe imaging device, in which

the imaging device receives the designation information and captures animage using the mode specified by the received designation information.

[Supplementary Note 10]

The imaging control method according to supplementary note 9, providedwith:

determining, in a case where the assumed situation is a situation inwhich an object is assumed to move in a constant direction, a first modeof continuously executing autofocus as the mode used by the imagingdevice, and

determining, in a case where the assumed situation is a situation inwhich the object is assumed to stay in a constant position, a secondmode in which frequency of autofocus is lower than the frequency in thefirst mode as the mode used by the imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 11]

The imaging control method according to supplementary notes 9 or 10,provided with:

determining the mode used by the imaging device based at least oninformation on a place of the range captured by the imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 12]

The imaging control method according to any one of supplementary notes 9to 11, provided with:

determining the mode used by the imaging device based at least oninformation on time when the imaging device captures an image.

[Supplementary Note 13]

The imaging control method according to supplementary note 12, providedwith:

storing a table for associating a pair of place and time with the mode;

acquiring the information on the place of the range captured by theimaging device and the information on the time when the imaging devicecaptures an image; and

specifying the mode associated with the pair of the place of the rangecaptured by the imaging device and the time specified from the acquiredinformation, and determining the specified mode as the mode used by theimaging device in the table.

[Supplementary Note 14]

The imaging control method according to any one of supplementary notes 9to 13, provided with:

determining whether a person captured by the imaging device in the modespecified by the designation information is a person registered in adatabase.

[Supplementary Note 15]

The imaging control method according to any one of supplementary notes 9to 14, provided with:

determining whether the person captured by the imaging device in themode specified by the designation information is a person satisfying apredetermined condition.

[Supplementary Note 16]

The imaging control method according to any one of supplementary notes 9to 15, in which

the imaging device is provided on a moving body, and

the imaging device or the moving body transmits information regarding aposition of the imaging device,

the imaging control method that

acquires the transmitted information regarding the position as theinformation regarding the situation of the range captured by the imagingdevice.

[Supplementary Note 17]

A computer-readable storage medium recording a program that causes acomputer to execute:

acquisition processing of acquiring information regarding a situation ofa range captured by an imaging device;

determination processing of determining the mode used by the imagingdevice according to an assumed situation of the range captured by theimaging device among a plurality of focusing modes; and

transmission processing of transmitting designation informationspecifying the determined mode to the imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 18]

The storage medium according to supplementary note 17, in which

the determination processing

determines, in a case where the assumed situation is a situation inwhich an object is assumed to move in a constant direction, a first modeof continuously executing autofocus as the mode used by the imagingdevice, and

determines, in a case where the assumed situation is a situation inwhich the object is assumed to stay in a constant position, a secondmode in which frequency of autofocus is lower than the frequency in thefirst mode as the mode used by the imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 19]

The storage medium according to supplementary notes 17 or 18, in which

the determination processing determines the mode used by the imagingdevice based at least on information on a place of the range captured bythe imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 20]

The storage medium according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 19,in which

the determination processing determines the mode used by the imagingdevice based at least on information on time when the imaging devicecaptures an image.

[Supplementary Note 21]

The storage medium according to supplementary note 20, in which

the program causes the computer to further execute storage processing ofstoring a table for associating a pair of place and time with the mode,

the acquisition processing acquires the information on the place of therange captured by the imaging device and the information on the timewhen the imaging device captures an image, and

the determination processing specifies the mode associated with the pairof the place of the range captured by the imaging device and the timespecified from the information acquired by the acquisition processing,and determines the specified mode as the mode used by the imaging devicein the table.

[Supplementary Note 22]

The storage medium according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 21,in which

the program causes the computer to further execute authenticationprocessing of determining whether a person captured by the imagingdevice in the mode specified by the designation information is a personregistered in a database.

[Supplementary Note 23]

The storage medium according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 22,in which

the program causes the computer to further execute

detection processing of determining whether the person captured by theimaging device in the mode specified by the designation information is aperson satisfying a predetermined condition.

[Supplementary Note 24]

The storage medium according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 23,in which

the imaging device is provided on a moving body,

the imaging device or the moving body transmits information regarding aposition of the imaging device, and

the acquisition processing acquires the transmitted informationregarding the position as the information regarding the situation of therange captured by the imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 25]

A control device provided with:

an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding a situation ofa range captured by an imaging device;

a determination means for determining a mode used by the imaging deviceaccording to an assumed situation of the range captured by the imagingdevice among a plurality of focusing modes; and

a transmission means for transmitting information specifying thedetermined mode to the imaging device.

[Supplementary Note 26]

A control method provided with:

acquiring information regarding a situation of a range captured by animaging device;

determining a mode used by the imaging device according to an assumedsituation of the range captured by the imaging device among a pluralityof focusing modes; and

transmitting information specifying the determined mode to the imagingdevice.

The disclosure is not limited to these example embodiments. It will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes inform and details may be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the example embodiments as defined by the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1, 2, 3 Imaging control system-   10 Control device-   101 Acquisition unit-   102 Determination unit-   103 Transmission unit-   11 Control device-   110 Input interface-   111 Communication unit-   112 Mode setting unit-   113 Mode storage unit-   20, 21 Imaging device-   31 Authentication device-   311 Communication unit-   312 Authentication execution unit-   313 Registration information database-   314 Output unit-   41 Detection device-   411 Communication unit-   412 Detection unit-   413 Information database-   414 Output unit-   900 Computer-   901 CPU-   902 ROM-   903 RAM-   904 Program-   905 Storage device-   906 Storage medium-   907 Drive device-   908 Communication interface-   909 Communication network-   910 Input/output interface-   911 Bus

What is claimed is:
 1. An imaging control system comprising: a controldevice provided with: a memory configured to store instructions; and atleast one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform:acquiring information regarding a situation of a range captured by animaging device; determining a mode according to an assumed situation ofthe range captured by the imaging device among a plurality of focusingmodes; and transmitting designation information specifying thedetermined mode to the imaging device; and the imaging device thatreceives the designation information from the control device andcaptures an image using the mode specified by the received designationinformation.
 2. The imaging control system according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions toperform: determining, in a case where the assumed situation is asituation in which an object is assumed to move in a constant direction,a first mode of continuously executing autofocus as the mode used by theimaging device, and determining, in a case where the assumed situationis a situation in which the object is assumed to stay in a constantposition, a second mode in which frequency of autofocus is lower thanthe frequency in the first mode as the mode used by the imaging device.3. The imaging control system according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone processor is configured to execute the instructions to perform:determining the mode used by the imaging device based at least oninformation on a place of the range captured by the imaging device. 4.The imaging control system according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone processor is configured to execute the instructions to perform:determining the mode used by the imaging device based at least oninformation on time when the imaging device captures an image.
 5. Theimaging control system according to claim 4, wherein the control deviceis further provided with a storage storing a table for associating apair of place and time with the mode, the at least one processor isconfigured to execute the instructions to perform: acquiring theinformation on the place of the range captured by the imaging device andthe information on the time when the imaging device captures an image,and specifying the mode associated with the pair of the place of therange captured by the imaging device and the time specified from theinformation, and determining the specified mode as the mode used by theimaging device in the table.
 6. The imaging control system according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured toexecute the instructions to perform: determining whether a personcaptured by the imaging device in the mode specified by the designationinformation is a person registered in a database.
 7. The imaging controlsystem according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the instructions to perform: determiningwhether the person captured by the imaging device in the mode specifiedby the designation information is a person satisfying a predeterminedcondition.
 8. The imaging control system according to claim 1, whereinthe imaging device is provided on a moving body, the imaging device orthe moving body transmits information regarding a position of theimaging device to the control device, and the at least one processor isconfigured to execute the instructions to perform: acquiring thetransmitted information regarding the position as the informationregarding the situation of the range captured by the imaging device. 9.An imaging control method comprising: acquiring information regarding asituation of a range captured by an imaging device; determining a modeaccording to an assumed situation of the range captured by the imagingdevice among a plurality of focusing modes; and transmitting designationinformation specifying the determined mode to the imaging device,wherein the imaging device receives the designation information andcaptures an image using the mode specified by the received designationinformation.
 10. The imaging control method according to claim 9,comprising: determining, in a case where the assumed situation is asituation in which an object is assumed to move in a constant direction,a first mode of continuously executing autofocus as the mode used by theimaging device, and determining, in a case where the assumed situationis a situation in which the object is assumed to stay in a constantposition, a second mode in which frequency of autofocus is lower thanthe frequency in the first mode as the mode used by the imaging device.11. The imaging control method according to claim 9, comprising:determining the mode used by the imaging device based at least oninformation on a place of the range captured by the imaging device. 12.The imaging control method according to claim 9, comprising: determiningthe mode used by the imaging device based at least on information ontime when the imaging device captures an image.
 13. The imaging controlmethod according to claim 12, comprising: storing a table forassociating a pair of place and time with the mode; acquiring theinformation on the place of the range captured by the imaging device andthe information on the time when the imaging device captures an image;and specifying the mode associated with the pair of the place of therange captured by the imaging device and the time specified from theacquired information, and determining the specified mode as the modeused by the imaging device in the table.
 14. The imaging control methodaccording to claim 9, comprising: determining whether a person capturedby the imaging device in the mode specified by the designationinformation is a person registered in a database.
 15. The imagingcontrol method according to claim 9, comprising: determining whether theperson captured by the imaging device in the mode specified by thedesignation information is a person satisfying a predeterminedcondition.
 16. The imaging control method according to claim 9, whereinthe imaging device is provided on a moving body, and the imaging deviceor the moving body transmits information regarding a position of theimaging device, the imaging control method that acquires the transmittedinformation regarding the position as the information regarding thesituation of the range captured by the imaging device.
 17. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium recording a program thatcauses a computer to execute: acquisition processing of acquiringinformation regarding a situation of a range captured by a imagingdevice; determination processing of determining the mode used by theimaging device according to an assumed situation of the range capturedby the imaging device among a plurality of focusing modes; andtransmission processing of transmitting designation informationspecifying the determined mode to the imaging device.
 18. The storagemedium according to claim 17, wherein the determination processingdetermines, in a case where the assumed situation is a situation inwhich an object is assumed to move in a constant direction, a first modeof continuously executing autofocus as the mode used by the imagingdevice, and determines, in a case where the assumed situation is asituation in which the object is assumed to stay in a constant position,a second mode in which frequency of autofocus is lower than thefrequency in the first mode as the mode used by the imaging device. 19.The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the determinationprocessing determines the mode used by the imaging device based at leaston information on a place of the range captured by the imaging device.20. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the determinationprocessing determines the mode used by the imaging device based at leaston information on time when the imaging device captures an image.21.-26. (canceled)